Stories about Greece
European Parliament’s Report on Pegasus spyware indicates involvement of North Macedonia companies
Pegasus and Predator spyware can allegedly extract all communications records from mobile devices. A European Parliament report and journalist investigations suspect wide illegal use in and outside of the European Union.
Remembering Moshe Ha Elion, Sephardic Jewish author and Holocaust survivor from Thessaloniki
Moshe Ha Elion was born in 1925 in Thessaloniki; he survived the Holocaust, and is well known for his Ladino publications and songs commemorating the plight of victims of Nazi death camps.
The Greek spyware scandal: When technology outpaces governance
This ongoing scandal in Greece highlights an issue that all countries are grappling with: the regulatory mechanisms meant to safeguard civilians’ digital rights have not kept up with the times.
Illegal wildlife poisoning depletes Balkan biodiversity, yet only 1% of cases reach court
A recent study shows that the illegal use of poisoning to target "undesirable" animals continues to go unnoticed and unpunished in the Balkans, even though it depletes biodiversity and threatens public health.
Global warming: Sea snot appears on Aegean Sea beaches in Chalkidiki, Greece
In June, a marine heat wave increased the average daily temperature of the Aegean Sea to 28 degrees Celsius, which is whole 4 degrees higher than previous years.
Diverging narratives on the Belt and Road Initiative in Greece and China
After years of investment in the port, information on the hurdles that China’s BRI is facing in Greece differs across the language of the media reporting it.
Dissecting the ‘win-win’ of Chinese investment in Greece
On the surface, Sino-Greek economic relations, largely centered around shipping, are seen as bilateral ‘win-win’. But this narrative becomes more complex if one examines Greek media and political actors.
China’s Belt and Road megaproject in the Mediterranean: Was it the Greek shipping tycoons who sealed the deal?
In Sino-Greek relations, the dominant narrative runs that China is taking the lead by investing in Greece. But a more layered account of the events is often overlooked.
Greeks wage a court battle against Chinese-funded port that may poison the environment
Expansion of the Piraeus port will create a "subaquatic toxic landfill” at the expense of the area’s fragile ecosystems.
Greece #metoo: Rape accusations against prominent actor and National Theater director finally lead to arrest
Amidst a #metoo whirlwind in Greece, prominent Greek actor and director Dimitris Lignadis is finally arrested on rape charges.
In the Balkans, COVID-19 measures may not apply to religious leaders
A bishop's funeral in Montenegro last week drew thousands of maskless mourners.
The importance of ‘unlearning’ the past: Interview with Balkans expert Keith Brown
"Critical thinking [...] liberates us from the illusion that figures in the past imagined their own identity in terms of the nationalisms of their future."
Nationalists in North Macedonia use border closures to sow confusion and mistrust
Local media and politicians have distorted reopening policies in neighbouring countries for political gain.
Serbian parliamentary vote campaign taps Greek beaches, Chinese robots
"I love Serbia. Considering the fact that I am a kind of smart technology, it is obvious why I choose to be in Serbia."
Password hack claim puts cyber security on the public agenda in North Macedonia
The government said that no user data was compromised in the apparent attack.
Talking down under: Greek PM ‘discovers’ South Zealand
"Primary school kids listen to him and drop dead laughing. Long live our Leader, our EXCELLENT KYRIAKOS! HE'S WHAT WE DESERVE!"
Out of 20,000 COVID-19 cases in the Balkans, more than a third are in Serbia
In Serbia, the government first ignored COVID-19 and even made fun of it.
A new cross-regional anti-disinformation initiative launches in the Balkans
The network includes members from North Macedonia, Greece, Serbia, Kosovo, and Albania, and will work in cooperation with similar groups from other neighboring countries.
Churches in Greece and North Macedonia refuse to modify rituals conducive to the spread of COVID-19
The ritual known as the Holy Communion or Eucharist has Orthodox Christian worshippers drinking wine by a shared spoon, while Catholics eat thin slices of bread directly from the hand of the priest.
‘Byzantine Pompeii’ archaeological discovery in Greece will be moved to make way for the Thessaloniki subway
"What the metro construction procedures have brought to light is Byzantine Pompeii! Do you understand? And do you plan to remove it and reattach it later? Are you crazy?"
Police violence is increasing in Greece, but government is unconcerned
"They asked for a warrant and in response [the police] put them down, tied their hands and beat them severely".
